When the brakes were applied, there was a grinding and scraping noise. Ford replaced the front brake pads and rotors.

- Atascadero, CA, USA

Front brake pad and rotor out at 19,000, Ford will not fix this common problem. ***dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis******769767

- Bellevue, WA, USA

60000 miles on car, 4 sets of tires, 7 recalls, defect in gas tank cover filler, 2 sets of brakes, rear alignment not adjustable (advised by independent shop) and horrible shaking at highway speeds after all this. Dealer has been no help with tire problem. Never buying a Ford again.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Gas mileage is poor on this size veh--motor kicks into neutral while driving at higher speeds. Dealer keeps telling me there is no problem/cannot duplicate, 4 incidents, this is very freighting. Especially in heavy traffic & cannot get off the road fast. Brakes wear between 16000 and 18000 miles with normal driving. The motor belt had to be replaced at 22000 miles. This never happened so soon with any vehicle I have ever owned. Repairs and services are very expensive, many safety recalls and product warnings that take time to repair. The dealer has a problem making sure the parts are available when I make an appointment. The wheel bearings have been replaced several times and sound like they may be going bad again! I do not feel safe in this vehicle. What if something fails while myself or my family are in this vehicle. This vehicle has depreciated at such a drastic rate, that I would be wise to trade it for another vehicle. I feel it is in direct relation to all the safety issues with this vehicle. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**763169

- New Castle, DE, USA

While driving the consumer applied the brakes and noticed that stopping distance had increased. The dealer diagnosed that the rear brakes had failed.

- Chickamauga, GA, USA

Stalling problem-check engine light-cracked cylinder head at 32655 miles also leaking transmission line, brake dust, broken trunk lock and malfunctioning keyless entry on driver door.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

The brakes wore excessively. The brakes had to be replaced continuously.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Consumer received poor service from Ford Motor Company, as well as from following local Ford dealers morande Ford of berlin, ct and ray seraphin Ford of vernon ct, and different opinions from Ford employees concerning multiple recalls on A-frame/stereo/windshield wiper motor/rear wheel bearings, electrical system, and sudden acceleration/lurching.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

My 2000 Ford Focus has unreasonably high wear on the front brakes. We were told by the dealer that we need to replace the entire front brake system @ less than $25,000 miles, to the tune of $500 all paid by me. When I asked about the warranty I was told the brake wear was due to my driving, but I have since found out there have been multiple complaints about the same problem from other owners of the same car.

- Hopatcong, NJ, USA

Ignition switch will not turn. I noticed in researching the internet that many others had the same failure. I did not see a recall. This is the latest failure of many: Brakes, fuel gauge, bad struts. Now at 39000, I am 3000 miles out of warranty.

- Titusville, FL, USA

There was a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when the brakes were applied.

- Woodland, CA, USA

Faulty front braking system. Excessive wear and tear leads to premature brake and rotor replacement to insure safe, normal car operation.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

When the brake was applied, there was a loud noise, and after the vehicle stopped several times, a hot metal smell appeared. The dealer stated that the vehicle wasn't drivable, due to a potential fire hazard, and diagnosed the problem as stuck calipers. The brake pads and the calipers were replaced, and the rotors were resurfaced. (the hubcap had been slightly melted away from the caliper) scc

- Waverly, OH, USA

I have had numerous problems w/ my 2000 Ford Focus. The most severe is the brakes squealing and wearing out prematurely. They had to be replaced in the first year and a half of ownership and never stopped making noise. On a separate occasion the rear wheel bearings leaked fluid all over the brake pads which could have resulted in a deadly accident. I have been given a copy of a letter from Ford Motor Co. From a Ford dealership saying the brake noise is normal and can not be fixed and is not indicative of a problem with the brakes. Please do something to fix these cars, they are not safe!

- Spring, TX, USA

There was a noise coming from the rear brakes.

- Stafford, CT, USA

When the brakes were applied, they locked up which caused extended stopping distance.

- Naples, FL, USA

The key would not turn once in the ignition and was difficult to remove, the dealer replaced the ignition tumbler. The consumer has also replaced the brakes, tires and radiator deflector.

- Hampton, IN, USA

Consumer has experienced many problems with this vehicle. There is occasional grinding noises when braking suddenly, the brake pedals squeak, the transmission jumps out of gear, there are problems when accelerating, the vehicle stalls when driving above 55 mph, the cruise control is inoperative, and various electrical problems.

- Tarpon Springs, FL, USA

Consumer was exiting a parking garage and placed vehicle in reverse. Without warning, car suddenly accelerated and rear tail spun around 2 times then hit a parked vehicle. Consumer did apply brakes with no success. Ph insurance company informed dealership that there were two recalls that dealt with a defective throttle and speed control which was not performed on the vehicle prior to the accident. Other problems included weezing noise while turning. Power steering racked failed and replaced. Lack of power steering in steering wheel. Rear brake pad replacement. Rear wheel bearing noise. Defective wheel bearings replaced. Tire punctured and replaced. Hesitation on acceleration. Fuel pump and gasket replaced. Tires rotted out. Key stuck in ignition. Replaced malfunctioned shifter assembly. Trunk lid wouldn't latch. Latch replaced.

- Massillon, OH, USA

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the electrical system on the vehicle. Also stated that the power windows does not work also the power locks on the vehicle do not work. Dealer was contacted and vehicle was taken to the shop on three different times and it was finely fixed but consumer still thinks that the vehicle still has different issues. Ts the brakes squealed, and the vehicle would shut off when the brakes were applied hard, and the vehicle would have to be placed in park in order to restart. A fuse was replaced and had blown again, there was a short ground in the wire on the rear passenger door shorting to the ground, recall 00S50/deck lid wire harness, and two door lock actuators were replaced. Scc

- New London, CT, USA